Mental Health in Iowa

Next Steps for Your Consideration

Mental Health Quick Facts

Mental health advocacy is a top priority for awareness groups. Below are some facts from the IHA to aid advocates in educational efforts.

1 in 5 Iowans will experience a mental illness this year, but less than half will receive treatment.

123,000 adults live with a serious mental illness (that’s nearly the population of Cedar Rapids) and 80,000 children live with severe emotional disorders, yet Iowa has fewer mental health professionals than almost every other state.

Per the Treatment Advocacy Center, Iowa ranks last in the country for number of mental-health hospital beds available (that’s only two beds per 100,000 people).

People in crisis often turn to local hospital emergency rooms for help, but services are lacking when they return home.